HighLights
  1. Ferguson sustained a calf injury during the second T20I at Hagley Oval.
  2. Henry has also been ruled out of the remaining T20Is after suffering pain.
  3. Walter said the team remained optimistic about Henry's recovery.

New Zealand have suffered a double setback ahead of the remaining matches of the T20I series against India, with star pacers Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry both dealing with injuries.

While Ferguson has been ruled out of the final two T20Is, Henry will also miss the remainder of the series after picking up an injury during the second match.

Ferguson sustained a calf injury during the second T20I at Hagley Oval, with subsequent scans confirming a low-grade tear. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named Matt Fisher as his replacement for the remainder of the series.

ALSO READ: WPL 2027: Check Mumbai Indians' Full Squad After Auction, All Players Listed

The injury setback comes at a difficult time for the Black Caps, who have already lost the five-match series after India took a 3-0 lead. The fourth T20I is scheduled to be played on Friday, with New Zealand hoping to finish the series on a positive note.

Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out Of India T20I Series

According to sources, Ferguson experienced pain in his right calf during the second T20I at Hagley Oval. Medical scans later confirmed a low-grade tear, and the fast bowler is expected to need around another week to recover before returning to action.

Ferguson was keen to feature in front of a sell-out crowd at Eden Park but will now shift his focus on regaining fitness ahead of the upcoming ODI series against India.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over the injury setback but remained hopeful that the pacer would be available for the ODIs, which begin on November 4.

Recommended For You

"We're gutted for Lockie and Matt. Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket but it doesn't make it any easier when you have to miss games," Walter said.

Matt Henry Also Sidelined With Quadricep Injury

Henry has also been ruled out of the remaining T20Is after suffering pain in his right quadricep during the second match of the series. Scans confirmed a low-grade tear that is expected to require one to two weeks of recovery.

The pacer was already scheduled to miss the remaining T20Is as part of New Zealand's workload management plans, with the focus on keeping him available for the busy international summer.

Walter said the team remained optimistic about Henry's recovery and hoped he would play an important role in the upcoming 50-over matches.

ALSO READ: Massive Blow For India As Star Pacer Likely To Miss New Zealand ODI Series, Auqib Nabi In Contention

Matt Fisher Named Ferguson's Replacement

Matt Fisher, who had joined the T20I squad in Wellington as bowling cover, has been named Ferguson's replacement for the remainder of the series.

Kyle Jamieson, who is being managed as part of New Zealand's workload plans, will remain in Wellington and be available for Canterbury's second-round Ford Trophy match on Saturday.

He is scheduled to rejoin the national team on Monday ahead of the ODI series.


Also In News